Developmental, conduct, eating and substance disorders

Neurodevelopmental disorders begin early in life, as the brain develops:

• ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder): two main features, inattention (cannot focus, easily distracted) and hyperactivity-impulsivity (cannot sit still, acts without thinking).
• Autism spectrum disorder: difficulties in social interaction and communication, and restricted, repetitive behaviour.
• Intellectual disability: an IQ of about 70 or below, with deficits in adaptive skills (self-care, communication, daily living), showing up before age 18. Levels range from mild to profound.
• Specific learning disorder: difficulty in reading, writing or arithmetic despite normal intelligence.

Early identification matters: the earlier these are noticed, the more help (special education, therapy, support for parents) can change the outcome.

Disruptive behaviour disorders:

• Oppositional defiant disorder: angry, argumentative, defiant behaviour towards adults.
• Conduct disorder: serious rule-breaking and aggression. Aggression can be verbal (name-calling), physical (hitting), hostile (hurting others in anger), or proactive (dominating or bullying others without provocation).

Eating disorders:

• Anorexia nervosa: a distorted body image; the person starves to stay thin.
• Bulimia nervosa: binging (eating a large amount) followed by purging (vomiting or laxatives).
• Binge eating: frequent binges without purging.

Substance-related disorders: misuse of alcohol, heroin, cocaine and other drugs. Key terms:

• Tolerance: needing more of the drug for the same effect.
• Withdrawal: unpleasant symptoms when stopping.
• Dependence: being unable to do without the drug.

Heroin slows breathing; an overdose can stop it altogether, which is why it is so dangerous.